Stokes's return could take place in Nz
london: Ben Stokes's long-awaited return to England duty could take place in his native New Zealand after the all-rounder was included on Thursday in a 15-man squad for a one-day international series against the Black Caps "subject to any court obligations". Stokes has not played international cricket since being suspended by the England and Wales Board (ECB) following his involvement in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September that reportedly left a man with a fractured eye socket. As a result Thursday saw the latest in a series of qualified ECB statements regarding Stokes, with the board saying: "Ben Stokes's involvement is subject to any court obligations in relation to the incident in Bristol in September and his travel arrangements are yet to be confirmed."
Ghosal becomes highest-ranked Indian
new delhi: India's leading squash player, Saurav Ghosal jumped five places to No 14 to become the highest ranked Indian in the latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings released on Friday. Ghosal beat Joshna Chinappa who slipped three places to No 17 while Dipika Pallikal Karthik remained on 20. Former Indian national champion Harinder Pal Sandhu was placed at 49th, Mahesh Mangaonkar on 64, the spot that Ramit Tandon too achieved after rising 16 places and Vikram Malhotra on 68. Among others, Sunayna Kuruvilla progressed from 104 to 89 to be placed third in the women's section behind leaders Joshna and Dipika while Sachika Ingale is on 96.
ATK face strong Bengaluru challenge
kolkata: Smarting from a hat-trick of losses in their worst season ever, two-time champions ATK will be up against title favourites Bengaluru FC in their return leg Indian Super league football clash at the Saltlake Stadium here on Saturday. Nothing is going in favour of the home side at the moment as their hope to make the last four is all but over after they went down to Jamshedpur FC 0-1 in their previous game. ATK suffered their sixth loss from 12 matches this season and they are on 12 points with six matches left. They have secured only three wins to languish at the eighth spot in the 10-team league standings.
Australia & Germany finish first day at one-all
Brisbane: Australia and Germany finished the first day of their Davis Cup World Group tie in Brisbane one rubber apiece after Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev both won in vastly contrasting styles on Friday. Zverev gave Germany the early advantage with a gruelling four-hour win over Alex de Minaur 7-5, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), before Kyrgios disposed of Jan-lennard Struff in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The mercurial Kyrgios, who has responded well to the Davis Cup captaincy of lleyton Hewitt, was in sublime touch against Struff. The German battled hard but he was a class below the Australian and succumbed in 97 minutes in front of a large and passionate crowd at the Pat Rafter Arena. Kyrgios had Struff under pressure on serve throughout and broke once in each set for a straightforward win.
Churchill Brothers beat Minerva Punjab 2-1
Vasco (Goa): I-league table toppers Minerva Punjab's unbeaten five-match run came to an end when Churchill Brothers beat them 2-1 in a closely-contested match here on Friday. Churchill scored through Mechac Koffi (16th) and Wayne Vaz (45th). Kassim Aidara scored the lone goal for Minerva in the 57th minute. Minerva Punjab created lot of chances in the second half but their Bhutanese winger Chencho Gyeltshen, who troubled the home team defence with his menacing run down the flank, wasted a penalty in the 61st minute which proved costly for the visiting side. The win took Churchill Brothers to seventh place with 13 points from 11 matches.
Vineeth's stunner gives Kerala full points
pune: C K Vineeth scored a last-gasp goal as Kerala Blasters beat FC Pune City 2-1 in a thrilling Indian Super league match here on Friday. While Jackichand's goal had class written all over it in the 58th minute and gave Kerala the lead, it was Vineeth who grabbed the limelight with a goal in the injury added time after Emiliano Alfaro had drawn level for the hosts in the 78th minute. With the scores locked at 1-1, and the clock ticking down towards the final whistle, Courage Pekuson's long ball was chested down by Vineeth outside the box and hit on the swivel with immense power to beat Vishal Kaith, a stunning goal from a man who has been Kerala's saviour so many times.